ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work in finance. Two weeks ago, I was told that I am being taken off of the project I'm working on and will be reassigned two new projects. I had no issue with this, but now my life at work is stressful because all of my time is still going to the project that I'm being transitioned off of, but there is no set date to when I ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a friend I've known for over 30 years. We're both retired. I'm married, she isn't. I keep very busy with a big house, rescued animals and projects I like to work on.

I'm not much for talking long on the phone, but I don't mind texting, because I can reply when I have time.

The last couple of years, this friend has ...Read more

Dear Annie: Spring break is coming, and instead of feeling excited, I feel like I'm bracing for impact.

We have school-aged kids, and every year this week turns into a mix of pressure, money stress and hurt feelings. Some families we know are doing big trips -- skiing, the Caribbean, Disney, you name it. My kids hear about it at school and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married more than 20 years to my best friend. She's the love of my life. We have been through a lot together and have been in couples counseling for eight months. We almost divorced last year because of an emotional affair I had seven years ago. (She had a similar distraction last year.)

We are friends and do everything ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in my last semester of college, and I think I should feel confident in my career choice and prepared for my industry; however, I feel as confused as when I first stepped on campus. Over the course of the last four years, I've switched my major a couple of times, searching for the best fit for me. While testing out different ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister likes to throw dinner parties. She goes all out with her best dishes and crystal, along with the menu. Often people will call and ask what to bring, but my sister always tells them she only wants the pleasure of their company.

Some guests will still bring a dish. My sister always acts like the dish is a hostess gift...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I recently moved to a new town, and I feel lonelier than I expected to feel at this stage of life.

We are new empty nesters. Our youngest left for college in the fall, and not long after that we relocated for my husband's job. On paper, it made sense. It is a nice area, safe, pretty and full of things people say ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have always looked inside a person before casting judgment. It has been six years that I've been close friends with my neighbor "Tim." I have always regarded him as a Kramer from "Seinfeld."

I have OCD. I am a clean freak. I work hard to support myself and my kids. Tim is on every government program. He's a hoarder. His dog is ...Read more

One coffee shop has become, through habit, an extension of my office. Today's meeting was with a field representative of a state congressional delegate. He wanted to share opportunities that might be available at a federal level. I spied a name written on the opposite side of the notebook where he was writing and told him I knew that person too,...Read more

Dear Annie: I didn't think I'd be writing to an advice column at my age, but here I am, feeling like the new kid at the lunch table.

I recently joined a small community group to get out of the house more and meet people. That's where I met "Marla." She's warm, quick-witted and the kind of person who remembers details, like the name of my dog ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My spouse and I host regular meetings of a book club. It has been very successful; lots of people attend. We serve wonderful food and wine. Two attendees rarely miss this event, although they have never actually been invited. They come by default with their spouses, whom we did invite many years ago.

We are not fond of these two ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 16-year-old daughter is going through a rebellious phase. She has a lot of jealousy toward her friends because they come from wealthy families. My husband and I are middle class, but this is not good enough for my daughter. She often comes home from school and yells at me and my husband for not making enough money. She wants ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am 81, and IÕm not exactly sure when this problem began, but some people always seem to be looking for slights from others. I am sure they can always find something, but I believe it is the source of much unhappiness.

We invited people to dinner whose company we enjoyed. We sent wedding gifts, birthday gifts and Christmas ...Read more

Dear Annie: For most of my life, I picked the wrong partners. Over time, I realized it wasn't bad luck. I was choosing what I had seen, not what I had actually done the work to earn. Those patterns came from my family and the system I grew up in, and I kept recreating them.

A few years ago, I left that behind and made a full 180. I simplified...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I just concluded a five-day visit hosting some young relatives. Both are adults in their early 30s. They have full-time jobs and make decent money, although they spend it as fast as they get it. My concern is their pot smoking.

Recreational marijuana is legal here as well as where they live. During their visit, they smoked joints ...Read more